A Hidden Gem Happy Hour at this Neighborhood Pizza Favorite
Ridiculously cold beer and a whole pizza for under $20
“Happy Hour” has some interesting interpretations in Miami. While some spots offer legitimate deals, others see “happy hour” as a chance to slash cocktail prices to the low, low price of $14, with $12 sliders if you’re hungry. Is it cheaper than their usual lineup of menu-gouging? Sure. Do you walk out feeling like you got a bargain? Only if you weren’t planning on ever paying off that credit card anyway.
One great happy hour that criminally few people know about is at Tutto Pizza, a Coral Way neighborhood staple that’s been putting out 00 flour pizza since the late-1900s. It’s a family-run spot helmed by chef Joao “Juca” Olivera, a Brazilian who cut his teeth at Bice before founding Tutto in 1995. He’s helped in the kitchen by his sons, who make fresh pasta and pizza dough every day. And if you go between 3-6 pm, you’ll get a whole pizza and an ice cold beer for under $20, out the door.
Ok, so what’s this mind-blowing happy hour?
It’s half-off all the pizzas. And not half-off $35 pizzas, either. The simple margherita 8-inch starts at $14, which means it’s $7 during happy hour. You’ll also find a different beer half off every day, and on Thursdays all the beers are 50% off. Also half price: The big menu of skewers and appetizers, so if you want a little steak to go with your pie that’ll only be a few bucks extra.
What to eat and drink
Despite what my shorter, richer doppelganger might have said during his review, the pizza is an absolute star. It uses a mix of 00 and whole wheat flour with only water, salt, and yeast. The result is a light, crispy crust that doesn’t leave you weight down, even after downing a whole pie. The top choice on the menu is the Luchi’s Sweet and Spicy, topped with burrata, mozzarella, pepperoni, and spicy honey. Though Juca is happy to craft whatever you want.
For Tucco’s paninis, Juca takes pizza dough, bakes it, fills it with meats and cheeses, and bakes it again. The best is the panini al pollo, filled with lettuce, tomato mozzarella, and mayo. For a little taste of Brazil, get the grilled steak skewer, served with farofa and a chimichurri you’ll be thinking about for days.
The scene: Is pure locals’ hangout. Tutto Pizza is a narrow space with an open pizza kitchen, so you can watch your pie being made. During happy hour, the place is fairly empty, but around 5:30 pm a steady parade of regulars starts trickling in, who Juca seems to all know by name. It’s the classic neighborhood joint where the love between owner and guest is mutual, and the perfect example of what gives a Miami restaurant longevity.
Don’t miss: The front door. It’s two doors down from Tutto Pasta, and walking in the wrong place is comically easy. The good news is, you’re not the first person to do it, but it’s still embarrassing.
Perfect for: Happy hour.
Expect to spend: Under $20 for pizza and a beer, with tax and tip.
How’s the parking? Not bad. There are street spaces in front, otherwise you’ll need to drive through the residential area. Make sure not to park in the strip mall lot south of the restaurant, it’s a great way to add a $250 towing bill to your tab.
@tuttopizzamiami // 1763 SW 3rd Ave., Coral Way